Shock dampening drawer slide

ABSTRACT

A drawer slide system for a chassis is provided. The drawer slide system includes a first slide affixed to a drawer. The drawer slide system allows the drawer to extend from the chassis. The drawer slide system also includes a slide assembly slidingly coupled to the first slide. The slide assembly includes a second slide and a first damped stop assembly, which includes a first stop tray and a first elastomer, arranged within the first stop tray. The first elastomer reduces shock to the chassis when the drawer is fully seated within the chassis.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional application Ser.No. 61/790,279 filed Mar. 15, 2013, entitled DAMPED RACKMOUNT DRAWERSLIDE, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes andwhich were owned or subject to an obligation of assignment to Dot HillSystems Corporation at the time the invention claimed herein was made.This application is related to pending U.S. Non-Provisional applicationSer. No. 14/100,043 filed Dec. 9, 2013, entitled COMPLIANT DRAWER LATCHASSEMBLY, pending U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 13/747,585filed Jan. 23, 2013, entitled HIGH DENSITY DATA STORAGE SYSTEM WITHIMPROVED STORAGE DEVICE ACCESS, pending U.S. Non-Provisional applicationSer. No. 13/747,609 filed Jan. 23, 2013, entitled STORAGE ENCLOSURE WITHINDEPENDENT STORAGE DEVICE DRAWERS, pending U.S. Non-Provisionalapplication Ser. No. 13/747,623 filed Jan. 23, 2013, entitled SAFERACKMOUNTABLE STORAGE ENCLOSURE, and pending U.S. Non-Provisionalapplication Ser. No. 13/747,637 filed Jan. 23, 2013, entitled STORAGEDEVICE CARRIER FOR HIGH DENSITY STORAGE SYSTEM.

FIELD

The present invention is directed to mechanical drawer apparatuses. Inparticular, the present invention is directed to apparatuses forreducing shock when a drawer is fully extended from a chassis or fullyseated in a chassis.

BACKGROUND

The need to store digital files, documents, pictures, images and otherdata continues to increase rapidly. In connection with the electronicstorage of data, systems incorporating one or more data storagecontrollers have been devised. Storage controllers receive data read andwrite requests from host computers and control one or more physicalstorage devices to beneficially store or provide the requested datafrom/to the host computers.

In mass storage systems, storage devices are typically housed in a sheetmetal chassis, which is often mounted in a standard 19″ equipment rack.In this way, many such chassis can be mounted in a common rack,resulting in a highly efficient storage configuration. In many cases,each chassis has one or more slide-mounted drawers that pull out of thefront of the chassis. The drawers provide access to the storage deviceswhen the drawer is extended from the chassis. Slide assemblies generallyconsist of multiple telescoping metal channels or slide members.Separate channels of the slide assembly attach respectively to a side ofa drawer and the chassis and telescope or slide with respect to eachother to permit opening the drawer from the chassis while simultaneouslysupporting the drawer. For continuous availability and improvedperformance, it is desired to allow the storage devices to continue tooperate while a drawer is opened or closed.

Use of drawer slides which are attachable to the inside walls of achassis or cabinet for support of drawers that may be slidably pulledfrom the chassis or cabinet is well known. Typically, slide assembliesare constructed from two or more channels which telescopically lengthenor shorten in concert with an attached drawer. Drawers and/or slidesinclude mechanical stop features to limit the maximum drawer travel outof or into the chassis or cabinet. Drawer stops prevent a drawer fromover-traveling when extended and falling on the floor, or damaging otherassemblies in the chassis when the drawer is fully pushed into thechassis or cabinet.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to solving disadvantages of the priorart. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a drawerslide system for a chassis is provided. The drawer slide system includesa first slide affixed to a drawer. The drawer slide system allows thedrawer to extend from the chassis. The drawer slide system also includesa slide assembly slidingly coupled to the first slide. The slideassembly includes a second slide and a first damped stop assembly, whichincludes a first stop tray and a first elastomer, arranged within thefirst stop tray. The first elastomer reduces shock to the chassis whenthe drawer is fully seated within the chassis.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a shockabsorbing slide assembly slidingly coupled between a first slide and athird slide is provided. The shock absorbing slide assembly includes asecond slide, including a first and second mounting position. A slottedhole in longitudinal disposition with the second slide is at each of thefirst and second mounting positions. The shock absorbing slide assemblyalso includes a first damped stop assembly mounted at the first mountingposition and coupled to the second slide. The first damped stop assemblyincludes a first stop tray and a first elastomer section, arrangedwithin the first stop tray. The shock absorbing slide assembly furtherincludes a second damped stop assembly mounted at the second mountingposition and coupled to the second slide. The second damped stopassembly includes a second stop tray and a second elastomer section,arranged within the second stop tray. The first damped stop assemblycompresses the first elastomer section when the first stop tray makescontact with a first hard stop of the first slide, and the second dampedstop assembly compresses the second elastomer section when the secondstop tray makes contact with a second hard stop of the third slide.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, adrawer slide system for a chassis is provided. The drawer slide systemincludes a first slide affixed to a drawer, a third slide affixed to aninside surface of the chassis, and a slide assembly disposed between thefirst and third slides and slidingly engaged to the first and thirdslides. The slide assembly includes a second slide and a first dampedstop assembly coupled to the second slide. The first damped stopassembly includes a first stop tray and a first and a third elastomersection, arranged within the first stop tray. The slide assembly alsoincludes a second damped stop assembly coupled to the second slide. Thesecond damped stop assembly includes a second stop tray and a second anda fourth elastomer section arranged within the second stop tray. Thefirst and fourth elastomer sections are compressed when the drawer isfully seated in the chassis, and the second and third elastomer sectionsare compressed when the drawer is fully extended from the chassis.

An advantage of the present invention is it provides a resilient meansto reduce shock to storage devices and other assemblies when a drawer isfully extended from or fully pushed into a chassis. Storage enclosuredrawers are being required to store more and more storage devices,especially small form factor storage devices. Drawer weight and mass issignificant, and can result in large shock imparted to storage devicesif conventional drawer slides are used.

Another advantage of the present invention is it reduces shock to adrawer without requiring other shock reducing assemblies outside of thedrawer slide system. Thus, a dense and compact chassis having multipledrawers and a chassis midplane can be used, instead of bulky shockreducing systems between drawers and a chassis midplane.

Another advantage of the present invention is, in a slide system usingthree or more slide members, two shock reducing assemblies are provided.Two such assemblies provide redundancy for shock reduction andadditionally provide a greater degree of shock reduction than a singleassembly of the same type.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is it allows fordifferent elastomer materials having different shock reducing propertiesto be used within the same damped stop assembly. This may be useful ifthe expected shock is different when a drawer is extended than when adrawer is seated in the chassis. For example, it may be expected that adrawer is pushed into the chassis at a higher velocity than when thedrawer is extended. Alternatively, the same elastomer material may beused within the same damped stop assembly, but the size or shape of eachelastomer piece or section may be different in order to providedifferent shock reducing attributes.

Additional features and advantages of embodiments of the presentinvention will become more readily apparent from the followingdescription, particularly when taken together with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating components of a data storagenetwork in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2a is a block diagram illustrating components of a host-based orexpansion data storage system in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2b is a block diagram illustrating components of a non host-baseddata storage system in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3a is a diagram illustrating components of a storage enclosure witha front bezel in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3b is a diagram illustrating components of a storage enclosurewithout a front bezel in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3c is a diagram illustrating components of a storage enclosure witha drawer extended in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3d is a diagram illustrating storage device mounting in a drawer inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3e is a diagram illustrating chassis components without drawers inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3f is a diagram illustrating a partially assembled chassis inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3g is a diagram illustrating a storage enclosure bottom view inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4a is a diagram illustrating a drawer slide assembly top view inaccordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4b is a diagram illustrating a drawer slide assembly bottom view inaccordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4c is a diagram illustrating a first slide in accordance with thepreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4d is a diagram illustrating a third slide in accordance with thepreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4e is a diagram illustrating a second slide assembly in accordancewith the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4f is a diagram illustrating a second slide in accordance with thepreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4g is a diagram illustrating an exploded view of the second slideassembly in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4h is a diagram illustrating a stop tray in accordance with thepreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4i is a diagram illustrating a stop cap in accordance with thepreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4j is a diagram illustrating an elastomeric material in accordancewith the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4k is a diagram illustrating a damped stop assembly in anuncompressed state in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4l is a diagram illustrating a damped stop assembly in a compressedstate in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5a is a diagram illustrating a pre-installation drawer latchassembly in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5b is a diagram illustrating a post-installation drawer latchassembly in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5c is a diagram illustrating a post-installation drawer latchassembly over-travel limit in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5d is a diagram illustrating a latch base bracket in accordancewith the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5e is a diagram illustrating an exploded view of a latch strikeplate assembly in accordance with the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5f is a diagram illustrating a latch strike plate in accordancewith the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5g is a diagram illustrating a latch spring cap plate in accordancewith the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5h is a diagram illustrating a threaded PEM stud in accordance withthe preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5i is a diagram illustrating a latch return spring in accordancewith the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5j is a diagram illustrating a fastener in accordance with thepreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5k is a diagram illustrating a washer in accordance with thepreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5l is a diagram illustrating an over-traveled drawer in contactwith a compliant drawer latch in accordance with the preferredembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5m is a diagram illustrating a non over-traveled drawer in contactwith a compliant drawer latch and secured by a drawer thumbscrew inaccordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5n is a diagram illustrating installation of a latch strike plateassembly to and from a latch base bracket, respectfully, in accordancewith the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is directed to improvements to securely latching astorage device drawer while reducing imparted shock to operating storagedevices in the drawer. In the conventional art, a hard stop in a storagechassis would prevent a drawer from over-traveling when the drawer wasseated within the storage chassis or extended from a storage chassis.Such a hard stop prevents a drawer from over-traveling and possiblydamaging a chassis midplane, power supplies, or other electronicassemblies behind and in the interior of the storage chassis. However, ahard stop has certain disadvantages.

One disadvantage of a hard stop is it causes a drawer to rebound aftermaking contact with the hard stop. Drawers may contain a large number ofstorage devices and other assemblies, resulting in a relatively highmass. Drawers with a higher mass will rebound a further distance fromthe chassis. It is desirable for a drawer to return to a latchingposition after over-traveling, rather than rebounding outward past alatching position and requiring one or more additional drawer closingoperations.

Another disadvantage of a hard stop is the shock imparted generally to astorage chassis and specifically to storage devices. It is wellunderstood in the art that shock events may result in various adverseeffects to a storage system, including temporary pause of data flow,certain forms of data corruption, and in extreme cases damage to storagedevices and/or loss of data. What is needed is an apparatus to reduce ormitigate severe shock events when fully opening or closing drawers in astorage chassis or enclosure.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a block diagram illustrating components of adata storage network 100 in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention is shown. Data storage network 100 provides interconnectionbetween one or more host computers 108 and one or more storageenclosures 112. Network 104 includes networking communicationtechnologies suitable for high-volume data transfers between hostcomputers 108 and storage enclosures 112. Such technologies includeFiber Channel, Ethernet, SSA, SAS, iSCSI, Infiniband, ESCON, and FICON.Network 104 includes, but is not limited to local area networks (LANs)and storage area networks (SANs).

Host computers 108 execute application programs, and communicate withother host computers 108 or storage enclosures 112 through network 104.Storage enclosures 112 include storage devices that provide mass datastorage. Storage devices include hard disk drives, tape drives, opticaldrives, and solid state drives. In some embodiments, data storagenetwork 100 includes one or more management computers 116. Managementcomputers 116 monitor network 104, and provide error monitoring,configuration, and control functions. In most embodiments, managementcomputer 116 includes a graphical user interface (GUI) 120, throughwhich users or system administrators interact with management computer116. In some embodiments, management computer 116 interfaces withstorage enclosures 112 through network 104. In other embodiments,management computer 116 interfaces with storage enclosures 112 through adifferent connection or network other than network 104. Although threehost computers 108 a, 108 b, 108 c and three storage enclosures, 112 a,112 b, 112 c are shown in FIG. 1, network 104 includes any number ofhost computers 108 and storage enclosures 112.

Referring now to FIG. 2a , a block diagram illustrating components of ahost-based or expansion data storage system 200 in accordance withembodiments of the present invention is shown.

The data storage system 200 includes one or more host computers 108.Host computer 108 is generally a server, but could also be a desktop ormobile computer. Host computer 108 executes application programs thatgenerate read and write requests to a storage controller 204 within thehost computer 108. In some embodiments, storage controller 204 is a hostbus adapter or storage controller card in host computer 108. In otherembodiments, storage controller 204 is a combination of an I/Ocontroller often on a motherboard of host computer 108 and softwareapplications running on one or more processors of host computer 108.Storage controller 204 communicates with storage devices 208 in a drawer212 of JBOD storage enclosure 216 over host bus or network 104. Host busor network 104 in one embodiment is a bus such as SCSI, FC-AL, USB,Firewire, SSA, SAS, SATA, or Infiniband. In another embodiment, host busor network 104 is a network such as Ethernet, iSCSI, Fiber Channel, SSA,ESCON, ATM, FICON, or Infiniband.

Host computer 108 interfaces with one or more storage controllers 204,although only a single storage controller 204 is illustrated forclarity. In one embodiment, storage controller 204 is a RAID controller.In another embodiment, storage controller 204 is a storage appliancesuch as a provisioning, virtualization, replication, or backupappliance. Storage controller 204 transfers data to and from storagedevices 208 a-208 z in drawer 212 of JBOD storage enclosure 216.

JBOD Storage enclosure 216 in one embodiment contains 48 storage devices208, with 16 storage devices 208 in each of three drawers 212. In otherembodiments, JBOD Storage enclosure 216 may contain fewer or more than48 storage devices 208. Storage devices 208 include various types ofstorage devices, including hard disk drives, solid state drives, opticaldrives, and tape drives. Within a specific storage device 208 type,there may be several sub-categories of storage devices 208, organizedaccording to performance. For example, hard disk drives may be organizedaccording to cache size, drive RPM (5,400, 7,200, 10,000, and 15,000,for example), queue depth, random transfer rate, or sequential transferrate.

Referring now to FIG. 2b , a block diagram illustrating components of anon host-based data storage system 220 in accordance with embodiments ofthe present invention is shown. Non host-based data storage system 220is similar to host-based or expansion data storage system 200, with theexception being storage controller 204 is within storage enclosure 224,along with storage devices 208. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2b, storage controller 204 is a single RAID controller 204. However, inother embodiments, storage controller 204 represents multiple RAID orother storage controllers 204.

Referring now to FIG. 3a , a diagram illustrating components of astorage enclosure 216, 224 with a front bezel 320 in accordance withembodiments of the present invention is shown. Storage enclosure 216,224 is a sheet metal enclosure including a chassis 304 including one ormore drawers that mount storage devices 208. Storage enclosure 216, 224includes one or more power supplies that provide DC power to storagedevices and other circuits. Storage enclosure 216, 224 includes achassis top surface 308, a chassis bottom surface 312, and two chassisside surfaces 316. In many embodiments, storage enclosure 216, 224includes a front bezel 320 that provides an improved aestheticappearance and identification of the manufacturer or branding. The frontbezel 320 covers the drawers 212 containing the storage devices 208, andmust be removed in order to access the drawers 212 or storage devices208.

Referring now to FIG. 3b , a diagram illustrating components of astorage enclosure 216, 224 without a front bezel 320 in accordance withembodiments of the present invention is shown. Front bezel 320 istypically attached by ball studs or other means that do not requiretools to snap the front bezel 320 on or off the chassis 304. Afterremoving a front bezel 320, one or more drawers 212 may be accessed.Each drawer 212 may house up to a predetermined number of storagedevices 208, and drawers 212 have drawer pulls on the front surface thatallow a user to pull a drawer 212 out the front of the chassis 304.Drawers 212 may have one or more visual or audible indicators thatprovide useful status information, including power on/off, drawer 212operating/non-operating, or fault.

Referring now to FIG. 3c , a diagram illustrating components of astorage enclosure 216, 224 with a drawer 212 extended in accordance withembodiments of the present invention is shown. Each drawer 212 can mounta number of storage devices 212. In one embodiment, each drawer 212 canmount up to 16 storage devices 208. Each drawer 212 is extended from thechassis 304 in a first direction 332 to access the storage devices 208or other circuits or assemblies within a drawer 212. A third slide 324is affixed to an inside surface of the chassis 304 to allow the drawer212 to be extended or retracted to or from the chassis 304. Third slide324 will be discussed in more detail in conjunction with drawer 212 andother assemblies in other drawings herein. Each drawer 212 has anassociated drawer thumbscrew 328, or second threaded fastener, to securethe drawer 212 in a latching position to the chassis 304. Once a drawer212 is secured, it may not be extended from the chassis 304 until thecorresponding drawer thumbscrew 328 is disengaged from latching hardwarein the chassis 304. In the preferred embodiment, drawer thumbscrews 328may be engaged and disengaged to and from latching hardware in thechassis 304 without the use of tools.

Referring now to FIG. 3d , a diagram illustrating storage device 208mounting in a drawer 212 in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention is shown. Drawer 212 pulls out from the front of chassis 304,and each drawer 212 includes a drawer front surface 340 and a drawerrear surface 336. Each drawer 212 mounts a predetermined number ofstorage devices 208, which may be individually inserted or removed fromthe drawer 212 when the drawer 212 is extended. In the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 3d , there are up to 16 storage devices 208 mountedin a drawer 212, and all storage devices 208 are inserted or removedfrom the drawer 212 from the same side. As can be appreciated by one ofskill in the art, it may be necessary to pull the drawer 212 all the wayout from the chassis 304 in order to access the leftmost storage devices208 in the drawer 212. Although 16 side-accessible storage devices 208are illustrated in FIG. 3d , the present invention is not limited to anynumber of storage devices 208 or storage device 208 orientations.Therefore, the present invention is equally applicable to any storagedevice drawer 212 arrangement, including top access, front access, sideaccess, or bottom access, as well as any number of supported storagedevices 208.

Referring now to FIG. 3e , a diagram illustrating chassis 304 componentswithout drawers 212 in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention is shown. FIG. 3e illustrates various elements and features ofthe present invention more clearly, without drawers 212 obscuring theelements and features.

For each drawer 212 in chassis 304 there are supporting features thatprovide shock reduction and improved ergonomics over conventional artchassis. Each drawer 212 has a corresponding compliant drawer latch 348.Compliant drawer latches 348 are secured to an inside surface of thechassis 304, and contact a surface of the drawer 212 when the drawer 212is either closed or being closed. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG.3e , compliant drawer latches 348 are mounted near a front insidesurface of chassis 304 and make contact with an inside surface of drawerfront surface 340. However, in other embodiments compliant drawerlatches 348 may instead make contact with other drawer 212 surfaces,including a drawer rear surface 336. Details of compliant drawer latches348 are shown and described in more detail with respect to FIGS. 5a -5n.

Each drawer 212 in chassis 304 also has an associated second slideassembly 344, which is part of a drawer slide assembly which supportseach drawer 212 as the drawer 212 is extended from or retracted into thechassis 304. FIG. 3e illustrates a left side second slide assembly 344in an extended position, and a center and right side second slideassembly 344 in a retracted position. The extended drawer positioncorresponds to the left drawer 212 shown in FIG. 3c and the retracteddrawer position corresponds to the center or right drawers 212 shown inFIG. 3c . The drawer slide assemblies are shown and described in moredetail with respect to FIGS. 4a -4 l.

Referring now to FIG. 3f , a diagram illustrating a partially assembledchassis 304 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention isshown. Partially assembled chassis 304 is a simplified view from FIG. 3e, with an electronics midplane and other assemblies of the chassis 304not shown. Third slide 324 is affixed to the inside bottom surface ofchassis 304, and is visible in the left drawer position when the secondslide assembly 344 is extended. The third slide 324 is slidingly engagedto the bottom of the second slide assembly 344.

Also visible in FIG. 3f are latch base brackets 352, corresponding toand part of each compliant drawer latch 348. Each latch base bracket 352is fastened to the inside bottom surface of chassis 304, and is shownand described in more detail with respect to FIG. 5 d.

Referring now to FIG. 3g , a diagram illustrating a storage enclosure216, 224 bottom view in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention is shown. Chassis 304 has a chassis bottom surface 356. Eachdrawer 212 has a corresponding first slide 360 fastened to a bottomsurface of the drawer 212. The first slide 360 is slidingly engaged tothe top of the second slide assembly 344 when installed in the chassis304, and retracts in a second direction 368 when pushing the drawer 212into the chassis 304.

Referring now to FIG. 4a , a diagram illustrating a drawer slideassembly 404 top view in accordance with the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention is shown. Drawer slide assembly 404 includes firstslide 360, second slide assembly 344, and third slide 324. First slide360 is fastened to the bottom surface of a drawer 212 by any suitablefastening means, including but not limited to rivets, screws, or weldbonds. First slide 360 has a first slide front edge 408 that is orientedtoward the front of a drawer 212. Third slide 324 is fastened to aninside surface of chassis 304 with similar fastening means as firstslide 360. Third slide 324 has a third slide rear edge 420 that isoriented toward the center of chassis 304.

Second slide assembly 344 is captured within formed rails of third slide324, and first slide 360 is captured within formed rails of second slideassembly 344. This allows the drawer slide assembly 404 to telescopeoutward when a drawer 212 is extended from the chassis 304, andtelescope inward when a drawer 212 is retracted or pushed into thechassis 304. It should be noted that an alternative drawer slideassembly 404 may include a second slide assembly 344 that telescopeswithin a first slide 360, and a third slide 324 that telescopes withinthe second slide assembly 344.

Drawer slide assembly 404 also includes cantilever spring stops 416.Cantilever spring stops 416 keep each of the three slides 324, 344, 360together when drawer slide assembly 404 is assembled, and provide stopsthat limit maximum drawer 212 extension from the chassis 304. Cantileverspring stops 416 also allow the first 360 and third 324 slides of drawerslide assembly 404 to be assembled and disassembled with the secondslide assembly 344 without requiring tools.

Although a three-slide system is illustrated in the Figures, it shouldbe appreciated that the present invention is not limited to athree-slide system and may be used in a slide system using two or moreslides.

Referring now to FIG. 4b , a diagram illustrating a drawer slideassembly 404 bottom view in accordance with the preferred embodiment ofthe present invention is shown. FIG. 4b illustrates a first hard stop412 at the first slide front edge 408, and a second hard stop 424 at thethird slide rear edge 420. The first hard stop 412 and second hard stop424 provide a limit to the collapsed length of drawer slide assembly404. The two cantilever spring stops 416 provide a limit to the expandedlength of drawer slide assembly 404.

Referring now to FIG. 4c , a diagram illustrating a first slide 360 inaccordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention isshown. Key dimensions in millimeters are shown only as a guide andrepresentation of working dimensions for the preferred embodiment. Firstslide 360 is fastened to the bottom surface of drawer 212. First slide360 includes first hard stop 412 and a cantilever spring stop 416, aswell as mounting holes to fasten to the bottom of drawer 212. Firstslide 360 in the preferred embodiment is manufactured from a singlesection of cold rolled steel. Cantilever spring stop 416 is bent awayfrom the main surface of first slide 360, and the role of cantileverspring stop 416 in reducing shock to storage devices 208 is describedwith respect to the accompanying drawings. In the preferred embodiment,cantilever spring stops 416 are 19 mm wide by 110 mm long, and have adeflection if approximately 4.5 mm.

Referring now to FIG. 4d , a diagram illustrating a third slide 324 inaccordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention isshown. Key dimensions in millimeters are shown only as a guide andrepresentation of working dimensions for the preferred embodiment. Thirdslide 324 includes second hard stop 424 and a cantilever spring stop416, as well as mounting holes to fasten to the inside surface ofchassis 304. Third slide 324 in the preferred embodiment is manufacturedfrom a single sheet metal section. Cantilever spring stop 416 is bentaway from the main surface of third slide 324, and the role ofcantilever spring stop 416 in reducing shock to storage devices 208 isdescribed with respect to the accompanying drawings. In the preferredembodiment, cantilever spring stops 416 are 19 mm wide by 110 mm long,and have a deflection if approximately 4.5 mm.

Referring now to FIG. 4e , a diagram illustrating a second slideassembly 344 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention is shown. Second slide assembly 344 includes a second slide428 as well as two damped stop assemblies 432 oriented toward the endsof second slide assembly 344. Damped stop assemblies 432 provide shockrelief to the drawer 212 when fully extending or closing a drawer 212.

When fully extending a drawer 212, the end of each of the cantileverspring stops 416 makes contact with an inside edge of a damped stopassembly 432. This is shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b . The damped stopassemblies 432 then provide shock relief to the drawer 212, as describedwith respect to FIGS. 4g, 4k, and 4l . When fully closing a drawer 212,first hard stop 412 makes contact with an outside edge of one dampedstop assembly 432 and second hard stop 424 makes contact with an outsideedge of the other damped stop assembly 432 of the same second slideassembly 344. When a drawer 212 is secured by a drawer thumbscrew 328 toa latch strike plate assembly 504, each damped stop assembly 432 iscompressed approximately 1 mm.

For a three slide drawer slide assembly 404 including first slide 360,second slide assembly 344, and third slide 324, two damped stopassemblies 432 would be used for each second slide assembly 344. For atwo slide drawer slide assembly 404 including only a first slide 360 anda second slide assembly 344, one damped stop assembly 432 would be usedfor the second slide assembly 344. For a four or more slide drawer slideassembly 404 including first slide 360, multiple second slide assemblies344, and third slide 324, two damped stop assemblies 432 would be usedfor each of the multiple second slide assemblies 344.

Referring now to FIG. 4f , a diagram illustrating a second slide 428 inaccordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention isshown. Key dimensions in millimeters are shown only as a guide andrepresentation of working dimensions for the preferred embodiment. Thesecond slide 428 is different in construction than either the firstslide 360 or the third slide 324. No cantilever spring stops 416 areprovided for the second slide 428, although the second slide 428 has alarge and small cutout adjacent to a raised portion where each of thedamped stop assemblies 432 are fastened. The cutouts allow a cantileverspring stop 416 from each of the first slide 360 and third slide 324 tomake contact with each of the two damped stop assemblies 432. Secondslide 428 also has a raised portion near each end where a damped stopassembly 432 is mounted to a slotted hole 436.

Each of the two slotted holed 436 is arranged longitudinally with thesecond slide 428, in order to allow for movement of each of the dampedstop assemblies 432. The damped stop assemblies 432 move toward the endsof the second slide 428 when the cantilever spring stops 416 makecontact with the inside surface of each damped stop assembly 432 whenfully extending a drawer 212. The damped stop assemblies 432 move towardthe center of the second slide 428 when the first hard stop 412 andsecond hard stop 424 make contact with the outside surface of eachdamped stop assembly 432 when fully retracting or closing a drawer 212.

Referring now to FIG. 4g , a diagram illustrating an exploded view ofthe second slide assembly 344 in accordance with the preferredembodiment of the present invention is shown. Second slide assembly 344includes the second slide 428 and two damped stop assemblies 432.

Each damped stop assembly 432 includes a stop tray 444 mounted below theslotted hole 436, two elastomeric pieces 452 mounted within the stoptray 444, a stop cap 448 retaining the elastomeric pieces 452, and adamped stop assembly fastener 440 coupling the stop cap 448 to the stoptray 444. When assembled, each elastomeric piece 452 is located on anopposite side and in the same plane as the raised portion of the secondslide 428 including the slotted hole 436.

Referring now to FIG. 4h , a diagram illustrating a stop tray 444 inaccordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention isshown. Key dimensions in millimeters are shown only as a guide andrepresentation of working dimensions for the preferred embodiment. Inthe preferred embodiment, the stop tray 444 includes a threaded stud 456to retain the damped stop assembly fastener 440 and provide a standoffto support the stop cap 448. By using a threaded fastener as the dampedstop assembly fastener 440, assembly and maintenance of the damped stopassembly 432 is simplified over alternative fastening means includingwelding or riveting. However, in other embodiments the damped stopassembly fastener 440 may be a rivet or other form of mechanicalfastener known in the art. Regardless of how the stop cap 448 isfastened to the stop tray 444, it is important that the stop cap 448 notbear on the elastomeric pieces 452 to prevent longitudinal compressionwhen any of a first hard stop 412, second hard stop 424, or cantileverspring stop 416 makes contact with the stop tray 444.

Referring now to FIG. 4i , a diagram illustrating a stop cap 448 inaccordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention isshown. Key dimensions in millimeters are shown only as a guide andrepresentation of working dimensions for the preferred embodiment. Thestop cap 448 retains the elastomeric pieces 452 in the stop tray 444when the damped stop assembly 432 is coupled to the second slide 428.

Referring now to FIG. 4j , a diagram illustrating an elastomericmaterial 452 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention is shown. Key dimensions in millimeters are shown only as aguide and representation of working dimensions for the preferredembodiment. The elastomeric material 452 is a resilient material madefrom thermoplastic polyurethane that retains the original shape afterdeforming forces are removed. In the preferred embodiment, theelastomeric material 452 is TPU 70A High Performance ThermoplasticPolyurethane material from Shen Zhen Polylong Plastic Ltd. and has adurometer of 70A.

In the preferred embodiment, the two elastomeric pieces 452 areidentical and provide the same amount of shock reduction when fullyextending or closing a drawer 212. However, in alternate embodiments,each elastomeric piece 452 in a damped stop assembly 432 may bedifferent in order to provide different shock reduction properties whenfully extending or closing a drawer 212. For example, each of the twoelastomeric pieces 452 may have a slightly different size or shape, orbe manufactured from materials having different compression and/orexpansion properties.

Referring now to FIG. 4k , a diagram illustrating a damped stop assembly432 in an uncompressed state in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention is shown. The uncompressed state refers to a stateother than when a drawer 212 is fully extended or fully closed. In theuncompressed state, neither elastomeric piece 452 is in compressionsince neither of a first hard stop 412, second hard stop 424, orcantilever spring stop 416 makes contact with the stop tray 444containing the elastomeric pieces 452.

Referring now to FIG. 4l , a diagram illustrating a damped stop assembly432 in a compressed state in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention is shown. The compressed state refers to a state when a drawer212 is either fully extended or fully closed. In the compressed state,one elastomeric piece 452 is in compression since the first hard stop412, second hard stop 424, or cantilever spring stop 416 is in contactwith the stop tray 444 containing the elastomeric pieces 452.

In FIG. 4l , the outer elastomeric piece 452 b is compressed, and theinner elastomeric piece 452 a is uncompressed. This means one of thefirst hard stop 412 or second hard stop 424 is in contact with the outer(right side) edge of the stop tray 444—reflecting the drawer 212 isfully closed in the chassis 304. The hard stop 412, 424 in contact withthe stop tray 444 causes the damped stop assembly 432 to move toward thecenter of the second slide 428, and the threaded stud 456correspondingly moves within the slotted hole 436. When the hard stop412, 424 moves away from the stop tray 444, elastomeric piece 452 bexpands to its original shape, moving the damped stop assembly 432 backto the uncompressed state (FIG. 4k ).

Referring now to FIG. 5a , a diagram illustrating a pre-installationdrawer latch assembly in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention is shown. The pre-installation drawer latch assembly includesa latch base bracket 352 that captures the drawer latch assembly to thechassis 304 inside bottom surface. The pre-installation drawer latchassembly also includes a latch strike plate assembly 504, which includesa resilient element that returns an over-traveled drawer 212 to alatching position. The latch strike plate assembly 504 in the preferredembodiment is attachable to and detachable from the latch base bracket352 without requiring tools.

Referring now to FIG. 5b , a diagram illustrating a post-installationdrawer latch assembly in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention is shown. The post-installation drawer latch assembly is thecompliant drawer latch 348, which includes the latch strike plateassembly 504 secured to the latch base bracket 352.

Referring now to FIG. 5c , a diagram illustrating a post-installationdrawer latch assembly over-travel limit in accordance with embodimentsof the present invention is shown. When the rear of a drawer frontsurface 340 makes contact with the front of a latch strike plateassembly 504, the drawer 212 over-travels up to a predetermined distance508 as a resilient member of the latch strike plate assembly 504 appliesforce in the first direction to the drawer 212. In the preferredembodiment, the predetermined distance 508 is 4 mm. If the drawer 212over-travels the predetermined distance 508, a hard stop in the latchstrike plate assembly 504 prevents further over-travel and possibledamage to the resilient member of the latch strike plate assembly 504.Once the drawer 212 over-travel has been stopped, the resilient memberreturns the drawer 212 to a latching position.

Referring now to FIG. 5d , a diagram illustrating a latch base bracket352 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present inventionis shown. Key dimensions in millimeters are shown only as a guide andrepresentation of working dimensions for the preferred embodiment. Latchbase bracket 352 receives the latch strike plate assembly 504 in a latchbase pocket 552 in the upper half of the latch base bracket 352, andholes in the base allow the latch base bracket 352 to be positivelyfastened to the base of the chassis 304. Any suitable fastener can beused to fasten the latch base bracket 352 to the chassis 304, includingrivets, machine screws, or welds. The latch base bracket 352 forms afirst portion of the compliant drawer latch 348.

The latch base bracket 352 includes a latch base bracket recess 512 inthe lower half of the latch base bracket 352. The latch base bracketrecess 512 captures a mating projection of the latch strike plateassembly 504 to prevent the latch strike plate assembly 504 frombecoming separated from the latch base bracket 352 once installed.However, FIG. 5n illustrates the latch strike plate assembly 504 beingintentionally mounted to or removed from the latch base bracket 352without the use of tools.

In the preferred embodiment, the latch base bracket 352 is bent from asingle section of 1.2 mm-1.5 mm sheet steel such that the verticalportion is a double thickness of sheet metal and the top surface of thelatch base bracket 352 is rounded. The double thickness of materialresults in a stronger bracket able to resist deflecting forces, andprovides greater engagement depth for threaded PEM stud 520 and latchstrike plate side tabs 528. The rounded upper surface eases assemblywhen mating the latch strike plate assembly 504 to the latch basebracket 352.

Referring now to FIG. 5e , a diagram illustrating an exploded view of alatch strike plate assembly 504 in accordance with the preferredembodiment of the present invention is shown. The latch strike plateassembly 504 includes five components, which are assembled in thesequence shown. The latch strike plate assembly forms a second portionof the compliant drawer latch 348.

A latch strike plate 524 directly interfaces with the drawer 212, andprovides features that properly horizontally position the latch strikeplate assembly 504 relative to the latch base bracket 352. Latch strikeplate 524 includes latch strike plate side tabs 528, which extendrearward from the top of the latch strike plate 524 and horizontallycapture the upper sides of the latch base bracket 352 when installed.The latch strike plate side tabs 528 also limit rotation of the latchstrike plate 524 when the drawer thumbscrew 328 is tightened. Latchstrike plate 524 also includes a threaded PEM stud 520, which captures afastener 548 that holds the latch strike plate assembly 504 together.Threaded PEM stud 520 rests within the latch base pocket 552 when thelatch strike plate assembly 504 is mated to the latch base bracket 352.

A latch return spring 516 serves as the resilient member of the latchstrike plate assembly 504, and provides force in the first direction 332to return an over-traveled drawer 212 to a latching position. When thelatch strike plate assembly 504 is mated with the latch base bracket352, in the preferred embodiment the latch return spring 516 iscompressed 1 mm.

A latch spring cap plate 532 captures the latch return spring 516 to thelatch strike plate 524, and provides a bearing surface for the latchstrike plate assembly 504 to mount to the latch base bracket 352. Thelatch spring cap plate 532 also has a cap plate projection 540 thatmates with the latch base bracket recess 512 when the latch strike plateassembly 504 is installed to the latch base bracket 352. The latchspring cap plate 532 also includes two latch spring cap plate side tabs536, arranged one on each side and extending toward the latch strikeplate 524, that provide a hard stop for drawer 212 over-travel. Thelatch spring cap plate side tabs 536 limit drawer 212 over-travel to thepredetermined distance 508 discussed with respect to FIG. 5c . Thelength of the latch spring cap plate side tabs 536 is selected in orderto prevent over-compression of the latch return spring 516 in additionto setting the pre-determined distance 508.

A washer 544 provides a bearing surface between the fastener 548 and therear surface of the latch base bracket 352. The fastener 548 engagesthreads of the threaded PEM stud 520 to hold the latch strike plateassembly 504 together. The fastener 548 must be installed to asufficient depth to allow the latch strike plate assembly 504 to beinstalled to and removed from the latch base bracket 352 under latchreturn spring 516 tension. The washer 544 and fastener 548 orientationwith respect to the latch strike plate assembly 504 and latch basebracket 352 is shown in more detail in FIG. 5c . In the preferredembodiment, the latch strike plate 524, latch spring cap plate 532, andthe washer 544 are formed from 1.5 mm thick Zinc coated sheet steel. Inthe preferred embodiment, the fastener 548 is a 6-32 pan head screwpre-treated with a thread adhesive to hold the screw in place, andtightened to a torque specification of 6.0+/−0.6 in-lbs.

Referring now to FIG. 5f , a diagram illustrating a latch strike plate524 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present inventionis shown. Key dimensions in millimeters are shown only as a guide andrepresentation of working dimensions for the preferred embodiment. Thelatch strike plate 524 has a flat front surface which makes contact withan over-traveled drawer 212. Other features of the latch strike plate524 are discussed with respect to FIG. 5 e.

Referring now to FIG. 5g , a diagram illustrating a latch spring capplate 532 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention is shown. Key dimensions in millimeters are shown only as aguide and representation of working dimensions for the preferredembodiment. The latch spring cap plate 532 is preferably formed from asingle piece of sheet steel, and bears against the front side of thelatch base bracket 352 when installed. Other features of the latchspring cap plate 532 are discussed with respect to FIG. 5 e.

Referring now to FIG. 5h , a diagram illustrating a threaded PEM stud520 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present inventionis shown. Key dimensions in millimeters are shown only as a guide andrepresentation of working dimensions for the preferred embodiment. Thethreaded PEM stud 520 is swaged into the front surface of the latchstrike plate 524, which provides a flat front surface for anover-traveled drawer 212 to bear against. The threaded PEM stud 520 isoriented toward the latch spring cap plate 532, as shown in FIG. 5 e.

Referring now to FIG. 5i , a diagram illustrating a latch return spring516 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present inventionis shown. Key dimensions in millimeters are shown only as a guide andrepresentation of working dimensions for the preferred embodiment. Thelatch return spring 516 is a resilient member that normally avoids ahard stop when a drawer 212 over-travels. The latch return spring 516absorbs the drawer 212 movement in the second direction 368, and exertsforce to move the over-traveled drawer 212 in the first direction 332 tothe latching position. Once in the latching position, the drawer 212 isnot in an over-traveled state and can be secured to the compliant drawerlatch 348 with a drawer thumbscrew 328. In the preferred embodiment, thelatch return spring 516 is manufactured from stainless steel per ASTMA313 and has a spring rate of 14.98+/−1.5 lbs per inch. Additionally,the latch return spring 516 has 5.16 coils, a free length of 0.375 in,and is manufactured from 0.028 in. diameter material.

Referring now to FIG. 5j , a diagram illustrating a fastener 548 inaccordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention isshown. Key dimensions in millimeters are shown only as a guide andrepresentation of working dimensions for the preferred embodiment. Thefastener 548, or first threaded fastener, has external threads thatengage threads of the threaded PEM stud 520, and the fastener 548 passesthrough the slot in the upper half of the latch base bracket 352 whenthe latch strike plate assembly 504 is mated to the latch base bracket352. In one embodiment, the fastener 548 is a thumbscrew, and no toolsare required in order to assemble the latch strike plate assembly 504.In other embodiments, the fastener 548 is a cap head or other type ofmachine screw and a screwdriver is used to assemble the latch strikeplate assembly 504.

Referring now to FIG. 5k , a diagram illustrating a washer 544 inaccordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention isshown. Key dimensions in millimeters are shown only as a guide andrepresentation of working dimensions for the preferred embodiment. Thewasher 544 provides a bearing surface between the fastener 548 and therear side of the latch base bracket 352.

Referring now to FIG. 5l , a diagram illustrating an over-traveleddrawer 212 in contact with a complaint drawer latch 348 in accordancewith the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. Anover-traveled drawer 212 is a drawer 212 that has traveled past alatching position. The drawer front surface 340 contacts the latchstrike plate 524, which compresses the latch return spring 516.Normally, the latch return spring 516 exerts force against the rear ofthe latch strike plate 524 and returns the drawer 212 to the latchingposition where it can be secured by a drawer thumbscrew 328. However, amaximum over-travel position 556 may be reached where the latch strikeplate assembly 504 is compressed the predetermined distance 508, and thelatch spring cap plate side tabs 536 are in contact with the rearsurface of the latch strike plate 524. In this position, the latchreturn spring 516 may not be compressed more since further compressionwould either permanently set the latch return spring 516 or damage thefunction of the latch return spring 516. For reference purposes, theposition of the drawer thumbscrew 560 is shown disengaged.

Referring now to FIG. 5m , a diagram illustrating a non over-traveleddrawer 212 in contact with a compliant drawer latch 348 and secured by adrawer thumbscrew 328 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention is shown. FIG. 5m illustrates a drawer 212 in thelatching position, where the rear of drawer front surface 340 is incontact with the latch strike plate assembly 504 and the drawer 212 hasnot compressed the latch return spring 516. Internal threads of thethreaded PEM stud 520 capture the fastener 548 from the back side and adrawer thumbscrew 328 from the front side, when the drawer 212 is in thelatching position.

Referring now to FIG. 5n , a diagram illustrating installation of alatch strike plate assembly from a latch base bracket in accordance withthe preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. The latchstrike plate assembly 504 is first positioned over the latch basebracket 352 such that the washer 544 and fastener 548 are orientedbehind the rear surface of the latch base bracket 352, and the latchspring cap plate 532 is oriented above the front surface of the latchbase bracket 352. Next, the top surface of the latch spring cap plate532 is deflected rearward as shown in order to move the cap plateprojection 540 forward. The latch strike plate 524 is pinched toward thewasher 544, opening a gap at the bottom to slide over the latch basebracket 352. The latch strike plate assembly 504 is then moved downwardonto the latch base bracket 352 so that the deflected latch spring capplate 532 is in front of the latch base bracket 352, and the washer 544and fastener 548 are behind the latch base bracket 352. While the latchstrike plate assembly 504 is being moved downward, the threaded PEM stud520 of the latch strike plate assembly 504 slides within the latch basepocket 552 of the latch base bracket 352. Finally, when the threaded PEMstud 520 bottoms within the latch base pocket 552, rearward deflectionof the latch spring cap plate 532 is relieved, resulting in the capplate projection 540 engaging the latch base bracket recess 512 of thelatch base bracket 352. Once engaged, the latch strike plate assembly504 is mated to the latch base bracket 352, resulting in the compliantdrawer latch 348. The spring force of the latch return spring 516maintains the cap plate projection 540 in the latch base bracket recess512. The latch strike plate assembly 504 may be removed from the latchbase bracket 352 by reversing the above process, beginning withdeflecting the latch spring cap plate 532 rearward.

Finally, those skilled in the art should appreciate that they canreadily use the disclosed conception and specific embodiments as a basisfor designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the samepurposes of the present invention without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

We claim:
 1. A system, comprising: a first slide rigidly affixable to achassis drawer, the first slide configured to allow the chassis drawerto extend from a chassis; a slide assembly slidingly coupled to thefirst slide, comprising: a second slide; and a first damped stopassembly, comprising: a first stop tray, configured to move relative tothe second slide when the chassis drawer is either fully extended fromthe chassis or the chassis drawer is seated in the chassis; and a firstelastomer comprising a first and a third elastomer section arrangedwithin the first stop tray, configured to reduce shock to the chassiswhen the chassis drawer is fully seated within the chassis bycompressing only the first elastomer section, the system furtherconfigured to reduce shock to the chassis when the chassis drawer isfully extended from the chassis by compressing only the third elastomersection.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first slide comprises afirst hard stop, wherein the first hard stop is configured to preventthe slide assembly from sliding beyond a front edge of the first slide,wherein the front edge of the first slide is longitudinally orientedwith a front surface of the chassis drawer.
 3. The drawer slide systemof claim 2, wherein the first elastomer is configured to compress afterthe first stop tray makes contact with the first hard stop.
 4. Thesystem of claim 2, the first damped stop assembly further comprising: afirst stop cap configured to retain the first elastomer within the firststop tray; and a first fastener operable to couple the first stop cap tothe first stop tray.
 5. The system of claim 4, the second slidecomprising: a first slotted hole, wherein the first damped stop assemblyis coupled to the first slotted hole by the first fastener, wherein thefirst damped stop assembly is configured to slide in line with the firstslotted hole when the first elastomer compresses or expands.
 6. Thesystem of claim 5, wherein the first elastomer section is arrangedwithin the first stop tray on one side of the first fastener, whereinthe third elastomer section is arranged within the first stop tray on anopposite side of the first fastener from the first elastomer section,wherein the first elastomer section is a separate piece of elastomermaterial from the third elastomer section.
 7. The system of claim 6,wherein the first elastomer is formed from thermoplastic polyurethanematerial.
 8. The system of claim 6, further comprising: a third slidefixable to an inside surface of the chassis, comprising: a second hardstop, wherein the second hard stop is configured to prevent the slideassembly from sliding beyond a rear edge of the third slide, wherein theslide assembly is disposed between the first and third slides andslidingly engaged to the first and third slides.
 9. The system of claim8, wherein the slide assembly further comprises: a second damped stopassembly, comprising: a second stop tray; a second stop cap; a secondfastener coupling the second stop cap to the second stop tray; and asecond elastomer, arranged within the second stop tray, comprising: asecond elastomer section; and a fourth elastomer section, wherein thesecond stop cap is configured to retain the second elastomer within thesecond stop tray, wherein the second elastomer section is arrangedwithin the second stop tray on one side of the second fastener, whereinthe fourth elastomer section is arranged within the second stop tray onan opposite side of the second fastener from the second elastomersection.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the second elastomer sectionis configured to reduce shock to the chassis when the chassis drawer isfully extended from the chassis and the second damped stop assemblymakes contact with the second hard stop.
 11. A shock absorbing slideassembly slidingly coupled between a first slide and a third slide,comprising: a second slide, comprising first and second mountingpositions, wherein a slotted hole in longitudinal disposition with thesecond slide is at each of the first and second mounting positions; afirst damped stop assembly mounted at the first mounting position andcoupled to the second slide, comprising: a first stop tray; and a firstand a third elastomer section, arranged within the first stop tray; anda second damped stop assembly mounted at the second mounting positionand coupled to the second slide, comprising: a second stop tray; and asecond and a fourth elastomer section, arranged within the second stoptray, wherein the first damped stop assembly is configured to compressthe first elastomer section but not the third elastomer section when thefirst stop tray makes contact with a first hard stop of the first slide,wherein the first damped stop assembly is configured to compress thethird elastomer section but not the first elastomer section when thefirst stop tray makes contact with a second hard stop of the firstslide, wherein the second damped stop assembly is configured to compressthe second elastomer section but not the fourth elastomer section whenthe second stop tray makes contact with a first hard stop of the thirdslide, wherein the second damped stop assembly is configured to compressthe fourth elastomer section but not the second elastomer section whenthe second stop tray makes contact with a second hard stop of the thirdslide, wherein the first stop tray encloses the first and thirdelastomer sections, respectively, wherein the second stop tray enclosesthe second and fourth elastomer sections, respectively, and wherein thefirst and second stop trays are configured to move longitudinally alongthe slotted holes at each of the first and second mounting positions.12. The shock absorbing slide assembly of claim 11, wherein the firstdamped stop assembly further comprises: a first slide stop cap forretaining the first and third elastomer sections within the first stoptray; and a first fastener coupling the first slide stop cap to thefirst stop tray, wherein the first and third elastomer sections arearranged on opposite sides of the first fastener, wherein the firstfastener is configured to slide along the slotted hole at the firstmounting position, wherein the second damped stop assembly furthercomprises: a second slide stop cap for retaining the second and fourthelastomer sections within the second stop tray; and a second fastenercoupling the second slide stop cap to the second stop tray, wherein thesecond and fourth elastomer sections are arranged on opposite sides ofthe second fastener, wherein the second fastener is configured to slidealong the slotted hole at the second mounting position.
 13. The shockabsorbing slide assembly of claim 12, wherein when the first damped stopassembly is not in contact with the first hard stop, the first and thirdelastomer sections are configured to exert pressure on the firstfastener to center the first damped stop assembly over the slotted holeat the first mounting position, wherein when the second damped stopassembly is not in contact with the second hard stop, the second andfourth elastomer sections are configured to exert pressure on the secondfastener to center the second damped stop assembly over the slotted holeat the second mounting position.
 14. The shock absorbing slide assemblyof claim 12, wherein each of the elastomer sections are the same sizeand shape, wherein each of the elastomer sections are formed from thesame type of thermoplastic polyurethane material.
 15. The shockabsorbing slide assembly of claim 12, wherein at least one of theelastomer sections is formed from a different material than the otherelastomer section in the same stop tray.
 16. A drawer slide system for achassis, comprising: a first slide affixable to a drawer; a third slideaffixable to an inside surface of the chassis; and a slide assemblydisposed between the first and third slides and slidingly engaged to thefirst and third slides, the slide assembly comprising: a second slide; afirst damped stop assembly coupled to the second slide, comprising: afirst stop tray; and first and a third elastomer sections, arrangedwithin the first stop tray, wherein the first elastomer section is aseparate piece of elastomer material from the third elastomer section;and a second damped stop assembly coupled to the second slide,comprising: a second stop tray; and second and a fourth elastomersections, arranged within the second stop tray, wherein the secondelastomer section is a separate piece of elastomer material from thefourth elastomer section, wherein the first and fourth elastomersections are configured to be compressed when the drawer is fully seatedin the chassis, wherein the second and third elastomer sections areconfigured to be compressed when the drawer is fully extended from thechassis.
 17. The drawer slide system of claim 16, wherein the firstslide comprises a first hard stop configured to prevent the slideassembly from sliding beyond a front edge of the first slide, whereinthe third slide comprises a second hard stop configured to prevent theslide assembly from sliding beyond a rear edge of the third slide,wherein the first hard stop is located at an opposite end of the drawerslide system from the second hard stop.
 18. The drawer slide system ofclaim 17, wherein the first and third slides each comprises a cantileverspring stop to limit the maximum travel of the first and third slides,respectively, relative to the slide assembly, wherein the cantileverspring stops are configured to compress the second and third elastomersections when the drawer slide system is fully extended, wherein thefirst and second hard stops are configured to compress the first andfourth elastomer sections when the drawer slide system is fullyretracted.
 19. The drawer slide system of claim 16, wherein the secondslide comprises first and a second slotted holes, wherein the firstdamped stop assembly is coupled to the first slotted hole by a firstfastener, wherein the second damped stop assembly is coupled to thesecond slotted hole by a second fastener, wherein the first damped stopassembly is configured to slide in line with the first slotted hole whenone of the first and third elastomer sections compresses, wherein thesecond damped stop assembly is configured to slide in line with thesecond slotted hole when one of the second and fourth elastomer sectionscompresses.
 20. The drawer slide system of claim 19, wherein the firstand the third elastomer sections are configured to center the firstdamped stop assembly over the first slotted hole when the first stoptray is not in contact with either the first hard stop or a cantileverspring stop, wherein the second and the fourth elastomer sections areconfigured to center the second damped stop assembly over the secondslotted hole when the second stop tray is not in contact with either thesecond hard stop or a cantilever spring stop.